Interesting Books I’m Reading; Also, a Time of Transition

1. Richistan–A pop sociology book on America’s “new rich” economic class. I’m just a little ways into it, but it looks very interesting. I’m not sure why, but I love pop sociology stuff. The study of culture has always drawn me, and I enjoy finding out what the broad mass of people are doing and why they’re doing it. I don’t really enjoy sociology as a discipline, as I think it gets a little out of hand and is rather nonacademic at the core, but I do enjoy the pop sociology stuff which doesn’t take itself too seriously.

2. Bonfire of the Vanities–I’m not actually reading this yet, but I will be soon. I love Tom Wolfe’s writing. He takes on these massive social shifts and movements and writes a tome about them. Few other contemporary authors are as ambitious as Wolfe is, and few have his talent for description and anthropological insight. This will be a fun one to read.

3. American Shaolin–A very strange book about a Princeton student who went to China’s Shaolin temple to study martial arts for a spell. Not far into it, but thus far it’s an interesting portrait of confused, spiritually drifting masculinity and what life looks like for a person of this type, particularly when such a person is from a wealthy family and can afford to do such things.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

I have very recently decided to take a position at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. I’ll be working at the Henry Center for Theological Understanding at TEDS and will also do a PhD in Theological Studies with an emphasis in historical theology. Bethany and I are excited about this new stage of life, and I am quite happy that she will now be able to do pretty much what she likes with her time. The MDiv is a grind, and it (and other degrees) take the greatest toll on wives and families. I am so thankful to the Lord for this neat position, for the opportunity to work with and study under a pastoral scholar like Doug Sweeney, and for the change in life situation it affords my wife. However, we will miss Louisville when we move next month, and our time here has been richly blessed and filled with sweet memories of family, friends, and profitable experiences. Soon, then, we will be saying goodbye to Louisville and hello to Deerfield.

Looking forward to meeting you when you arrive at TEDS! – Justin Stratis (jstratis@tiu.edu)

Dad

Some Big changes, and I’m not surprised to see you go on with your studies.

Julia is still in Chicago. If we ever get out to see her again maybe we can drop in, wherever Deerfield is??

May the Lord be with you.

Al (Not Owen’s dad or that other “Al” – Hey I can drop that other Al part now, hum?)

Benji W.

Exciting times Owen! You’ll be missed around the ‘Ville, but it sounds like a great new adventure up at TEDS. May the Lord bless you and Bethany as you go. We’d offer to help you pack, but we’ll be leaving in a couple days to go back to the East Coast. God Bless, brother.

tyler W.

I’m just now getting into some Tom Wolfe myself, you’re right, he seems to be one of the most ambitious authors out there right now.

Owen, it’s been great getting to know you and you will be missed. However, a new season of life is always exhilarating and I wish you the best of luck in your studies. It’ll be fun watching where God takes you.